17 Best Summer Squash Recipes That Make the Most of the Season
These ideas are so darn gourd.
It shouldn’t be too hard to guess when summer squash is in season! Though you can find it throughout the year, when the weather heats up, you’ll want to make the most of its peak season with the best summer squash recipes right here. You'll find quick summer pasta recipes, easy dinner ideas, and flavorful grilling recipes to try all season long.
What is summer squash? Technically speaking, it includes a few different types of squash: yellow squash, pattypan, and, of course, zucchini. Luckily, they all have the same characteristics (soft, edible skin and mild flavor), so don't fret if you're craving a zucchini recipe and only have yellow squash in the garden. Most of the time, you can swap one for the other.
All of these summer squash recipes cook up quickly, too. For an easy family dinner, try Ree Drummond's pasta with zucchini pesto, grilled veggie fajitas, or sheet-pan pork that's ready in just 40 minutes. Looking for a dish that even picky eaters will like? Stuff squash with a creamy, cheesy filling and top with crunchy panko. It’s sure to be a hit! And at the end of the day, if you find yourself with way too much squash, you can always freeze your summer squash and savor it for months to come.
Squash Casserole
This Southern classic is a creamy, cheesy potluck favorite. The buttery cracker topping really takes it over the top. Plus, it goes with practically anything you throw on the grill.
Get the Squash Casserole recipe.
Cheesy Stuffed Summer Squash
Tender squash is filled with bacon, cheddar, cream cheese, and green onions, then topped with crispy panko for added crunch. It’s then roasted to perfection in the oven until golden and bubbly.
Get the Cheesy Stuffed Summer Squash recipe.
Easy Summer Vegetable Tarts
These tarts look so elegant and are bursting with fresh summer flavors and a layer of creamy ricotta mixed with pesto. But they’re so simple to make, thanks to store-bought puff pastry.
Get the Easy Summer Vegetable Tarts recipe.
Ratatouille
Another elegant presentation is making a layered version of the French classic. Thin slices of zucchini, yellow squash, eggplant, and tomatoes meld together in the oven and only need a few simple seasonings like fresh basil.
Get the Ratatouille recipe.
Grilled Veggie Skewers
Put your produce on a stick! Summer squash, zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, onions, and mushrooms are all marinated in a balsamic mixture and then charred to perfection on the grill.
Get the Grilled Veggie Skewers recipe.
Veggie Fajitas
When your garden is overrun with squash, tomatoes, and peppers, make fajitas! You’ll also find mushrooms to make them hearty without the meat. Layer with pico de gallo, cheese, crema, and a dash of hot sauce.
Get Ree’s Veggie Fajitas recipe.
Pasta Primavera
Ree has been making different versions of this creamy classic for years. This one has carrots, broccoli, red bell pepper, mushrooms, zucchini, summer squash, onion, and peas, but you can mix it up with whatever you have on hand.
Get Ree’s Pasta Primavera recipe.
Big Grilled Veggie Salad
Ree admits she craves this dish constantly! The summer veggies are charred on the grill, and then tossed in a simple mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, feta cheese, and fresh herbs.
Get Ree’s Big Grilled Veggie Salad recipe.
Rigatoni with Summer Vegetables
This light summer pasta is a great way to showcase the best of garden-fresh produce like yellow squash, corn, basil, and dill. Don't forget to add some cracked black pepper and parmesan on top for extra flavor.
Get Ree's Rigatoni with Summer Vegetables recipe.
Vegetable Lasagna
Swap out the meat for this vegetarian lasagna instead. But don't worry, it's still loaded with good stuff like cheese, sauce, and tons of summer veggies like summer squash and bell peppers.
Get Ree’s Vegetable Lasagna recipe.
Sheet-Pan Ranch Pork and Veggies
The secret to this quick and flavorful meal? A packet of ranch dressing mix. It not only makes the juicy pork chops taste amazing, but the squash, peppers, and onions on the side, too.
Get Ree's Sheet-Pan Ranch Pork and Veggies recipe.
White Zucchini Pizza
Turn store-bought pizza dough into a spectacular summertime dinner. Zucchini and summer squash are layered on spiced-up labneh and mozzarella for a lighter bite than a regular red-sauced pie.
Get the White Zucchini Pizza recipe.
Pasta with Zucchini Pesto
This recipe uses summer squash two ways: zucchini in the pesto and sautéed yellow squash mixed in with the pasta. The creamy, vibrant sauce also has fresh parsley, tarragon, toasted almonds, and parmesan.
Get Ree's Pasta with Zucchini Pesto recipe.
End-of-Summer Quinoa Salad
This simple grain salad features easy-to-find summer veggies like yellow squash, zucchini, and tomatoes, and gets an extra boost of flavor from the curry vinaigrette. It'll get everyone excited about eating salad.
Get the End-of-Summer Quinoa Salad recipe.
Grilled Veggie Burrito
These burritos are a great way to use up extra grilled vegetables and/or extra beans. It really is an easy dish that will fill you up even without meat.
Get Ree's Grilled Veggie Burritos recipe.
Carb-Buster Breakfast
This healthy breakfast is so versatile. You can swap in any veggies you have on hand, serve with a sausage link on the side, or add a dash of hot sauce for a kick.
Get Ree's Carb Buster Breakfast recipe.
Grilled Veggie Enchiladas
This scrumptious dinner is a year-round favorite. In the summer, you can use an outdoor grill, but in the colder months try a handy grill pan. Canned enchilada sauce makes it so easy to make any night of the week.
Get Ree's Grilled Veggie Enchiladas recipe.
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